DIFC Courts reports claims worth Dh7.6 billion
Average claim value across Courts of First Instance was Dh103.3 million
Dubai: The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts has reported that the main Courts of First Instance (CFI) and its divisions recorded 114 claims, with a total claim value of Dh7.6 billion in 2024.
An average case value of Dh103.3 million was recorded across cases, with claims related to the Arbitration Division posting the most substantial values; the total value of claims was Dh6.8 billion, with the average case value of Dh356.1 million.
The Civil & Commercial Division recorded 82 claims in 2024, with a total claim value of Dh854.1 million and an average claim value of Dh16.4 million.
There were two registered claims with the Technology & Construction Division (TCD) in 2024, with a total value of claims of Dh14.2 million and an average case value of Dh7.1 million.
The Arbitration Division (ARB) continued to witness a notably strong uptake of its interim measures and injunctive relief mechanisms in 2024, recording 28 claims with a total claim value of Dh6.8 billion and an average claim value of Dh356.1 million.
The Digital Economy Court Division (DEC) recorded two cases in 2024, with a total claim value of Dh10.2 million.
Claims brought before the CFI divisions covered a range of sectors including banking and finance, retail, manufacturing, crypto, and real estate and involved disputes related to breach of contract, insolvency, arbitration agreements, and employment.
Reinforcing the Courts’ record of certainty for business through enforceable judgments, a total of 350 enforcement claims were filed in 2024, an increase of 8 per cent year-on-year.
Wayne Martin, Chief Justice, DIFC Courts, said: “In 2024, the DIFC Courts recorded strong uptake of core dispute resolution services as well as our ancillary services. It is a testament to our operations that after twenty years since inception, court users still view our jurisdiction as their preferred choice. Further reinforcements to our bench with the appointment of three international judges in 2024, as well as the launch of new mediation and notary services, demonstrate our mission to continuously evolve and upgrade our value proposition for court users.”
The Small Claims Tribunal recorded 592 claims in 2024, an increase of 13 per cent compared with 2023. Claims were driven primarily by disputes related to breach of contract, banking & finance, and employment.
Underlining the SCT’s increasing popularity for SME-related dispute resolution, the total value of claims recorded in 2024 was Dh57.9 million, an increase of 11 per cent compared with the same period in 2023. The average claim value recorded at the SCT for 2024 was Dh106,000.
In 2024, the DIFC Courts continued its paperless strategy, issuing 1,942 digital orders and 174 digital judgments and conducted 99% of hearings via its digital hearing platforms.
Justice Omar Al Mheiri, Director, DIFC Courts, said: “Our new digitally driven societies, individuals and businesses are demonstrating an increased desire for easily accessible public services. The expansion of DIFC Courts’ services to the public in 2024 to meet this requirement reflects the strong economic momentum arising from the implementation of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, and the Dubai Digital Strategy. Our mission in 2024 was to launch innovative, efficient and cost-effective digital systems to assist our court users, whilst also increasing judicial excellence through upgrades to our case management systems and additions to our skilled bench of judges.”
